What to Do About Birthmarks
Most birthmarks, particularly pigmented marks, are harmless and do not require treatment. If your baby has a vascular birthmark, you should talk to your pediatrician about seeing a dermatologist to determine if the mark should be treated.
There are several options for treatment, depending on the type of birthmark. The success of treatment varies and depends on the location and type of birthmark.
- Oral or injected steroids: Steroids can shrink hemangiomas. However, the treatment potentially can slow a child’s growth or cause immune system problems.
- Laser treatment: Lasers help shrink hemangiomas, lighten the color of port-wine stains and prevent thickening. It may take several treatments to get results. Side effects are usually limited to bruising over the treated area. Sometimes anesthesia is used during the laser treatments, which may have side effects.
- Surgery: Surgery can remove large and noticeable moles that are bothersome, or those at risk of becoming cancerous. It also can be used to remove hemangiomas once they stop growing. Surgery risks include infection and scarring.
Camouflage makeup can sometimes hide birthmarks. In some cases, doctors will suggest no treatment because the birthmark eventually will fade on its own and treatment to remove it could leave a permanent scar.
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